10 Reasons Why We Need the Messiah Right Now

With outrageous levels of insanity overtaking the world, we need him now more than ever.

Who needs the messiah? you may be wondering. Isn’t that a Christian concept?

The notion of the messiah is as Jewish as Shabbat, the Shema and chicken soup.

Who is the messiah? He will be a great leader, pious and wise, who will become the next Jewish king. He will oversee the rebuilding of the Beit HaMikdash, the Temple in Jerusalem, gather all the Jews to their homeland, Israel, and most importantly usher in a new era of world peace and spiritual awakening when the entire world will recognize the truth of God and Torah; "The earth will be full of the knowledge of God, as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9). (Click here for more elaboration and sources.)

With outrageous levels of insanity overtaking the world, we need him now more than ever. Here are my 10 reasons why:

1. Many innocent people have been killed and the pain is palpable. Sean Carmeli, a lone soldier from Texas who spent a couple of months studying at Aish HaTorah was killed in Gaza. 30 other soldiers have been killed, and the family of Oron Shaul is now experiencing the horror of their 21 year old son missing in action. And many Arab civilians who do not want to annihilate Israel are being killed because their perverse government values the death of Israelis over the lives of Gazans.

2. Israel is being blamed by many for the deaths of Arab civilians in Gaza, despite doing more than any country in the history of modern warfare to limit civilian casualties. The IDF warns them to evacuate before striking – through leaflets, phone calls, and prior ‘knock on the roof’ projectiles, and is risking the lives of their own soldiers in a dangerous ground operation in order to launch pinpointed strikes against tunnels and Hamas terrorist infrastructure.

Only Hamas is to blame for the tragedy of civilian deaths.* They use human shields and embed rocket launchers in schools and mosques. Instead of building a flourishing economy they have diverted tens of millions of dollars to create a militarized state with a complete subterranean world stockpiled with weapons. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said, “Here's the difference between us. We're using missile defense to protect our civilians and they're using their civilians to protect their missiles."

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit twitter)

3. It is madness that 80% of the Israeli population, yours truly included, is living under the constant threat rocket attacks from Hamas. Where else in the world does this happen?

4. On two accounts Hamas rockets are discovered in UNRWA schools in Gaza. Instead of using these schools to educate children, they’re being used as hideouts for weapons designated to kill children in Israel. Even more infuriating, is that UNRWA actually returned the rockets to Hamas, aiding their murderous goal, instead of handing them to Israel.

5. Alison Benedikt, an editor at Slate, writes a galling piece apportioning partial blame to Birthright for the death of Max Steinberg, an Israeli soldier from California who made Aliyah a few months after his Birthright trip. Benedikt simply cannot fathom why anyone in his right mind would choose to live in Israel and risk his life fighting for the country, and has the chutzpah to assume he was either "a lost soul" or duped by some Birthright brainwashing machine. This drivel was published even before Max’s parents buried him in Jerusalem. (30,000 people came to his funeral; apparently there are some Jews who appreciate a Jew’s connection to his homeland and the heroism in giving up one’s life defending the Jewish People.)

6. The world is erupting with anti-Semitic rallies, violent protests and die-ins, that are reminiscent of Europe right before the Holocaust. Chants of “death to the Jews” can be heard at anti-Israel demonstrations in France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Holland. Jews are being physically attacked, and not only in Europe. In Calgary, Arabs attacked participants at a pro-Israel rally and the police did not intervene.

7. While the media is filled with enormous – and violent – anti-Israel rallies, the big pro-Israel rally in London only mustered 1500 people, less than 1% of the London Jewish community. Where are the Jews? Too afraid to come? Not interested? At summer camp? And where are all the Israel Solidarity missions? And now the FAA embargo is in place, further rewarding terror and leaving Israel stranded.

8. Where is the moral outrage at Syria where more than 700 Arabs were killed just this past week, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights? Where are the protests over the 50,000 civilians who have been slaughtered in Syria the past three years?

9. Israel has yet to find and bring to justice Amer Abu Aysha and Marwan Kawasme, the two Hamas operatives suspected of killing Naftali Frankel, Gilad Shaer and Eyal Yifrach.

10. Despite all the efforts in Jewish outreach, we are losing the battle against assimilation. As the recent Pew study confirmed the obvious, things are getting worse, not better. We can hardly raise the issue of intermarriage and assimilation today without offending the Jews we most want to engage. While there are bright spots of innovation and effective outreach, at this rate we are on the precipice of losing a generation of unaffiliated Jews.

Tisha B’Av is around the corner. This is the time to feel the pain of the Jewish people in exile, and to channel it towards yearning for a new era when “they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah, 2:4).

* The numbers of civilian deaths need to be confirmed. Al Jazeera published a list of Gazans who died since Israel’s Operation Protective Edge began two weeks ago, based on data provided by Ashraf al-Qedra, a spokesman for the Gaza Health Ministry. A breakdown by age and gender published on the Israellycool blog confirmed CAMERA’s similar analysis that 82% of the dead were men, and 66 per cent between 18 and 38 (combatant age).

Visitor Comments: 12

(9)
scott,
July 28, 2014 1:27 PM

What's so different about today?

I disagree with your sentiments Rabbi Coopersmith.

Not that any time is a bad time for the coming of the messianic era, but this is no different than any other time in the last two millinea. Jews divided-some in diaspora, some in Israel. Seemingly intractable enemy bent on our destruction. Jew hatred brewing among the nations supporting anyone trying to kill us. They don't like us. They want us dead. We can't all agree on a solution. This is not a crisis. For Jews, this is Monday.

What has changed is that for the first time in millinea we have the ability to defend ourselves and pursue our pursuers. What has changed is that there is actually a homeland so that no Jew need suffer in diaspora unless he so chooses. We will even give that Jew a free plane ticket to come home. What has changed is that there is a safe place to be a Jew and honor Hashem without apology. What has changed is that our safety is in the hands of Jews and our G*d.

This is the best time in the last two thousand years in which to be a Jew.

This was done by Jews that were not awaiting the coming of Moshiac, but working to hasten his arrival by leaving diaspora and making a home for him when he should arrive. It’s done by Jews that work the wonders in technology, science, medicine, agriculture and engineering that have made it possible for Israel to blossom into a place where 8.1 million can live. It is done by Jews who put on uniforms, pick up rifles and defend their people and families. All this vouchsafed by our G*d.

It is these people and these efforts which will bring on messiah. If Edison went through thousands of trials and errors to create one light bulb, how much more effort will it take to grow into a people that are a light unto the nations? We’re a work in progress, but finally working.

It’s a bad few months during a good time to be a Jew.

I mourn the loss of the temple, but I rejoice in the reality of Israel.

Sharon,
July 29, 2014 4:09 PM

good point, but...

You make some good points, and surely there were many periods in Jewish history where death and suffering were our lot, the Holocaust included, but I think I share the author's feeling that even more than we seek physical safety, in the midst of a morally twisted world, and in the midst of Israel's plight, we await the day where the whole world will recognize the truth of G-d's will, and the justice of Israel. The nations shall be sorry for the way they treated Israel and the Jews. And we mourn our own distancing from G-d's presence. Sure there are many observant Jews, but when Hashem will make Himself known for all to witness, it will be a great day for the religious and estranged alike.

David Aharon Lindsay-Lindzon,
August 18, 2014 8:22 PM

Some other issues 1967 - After the 6 Day WAR

IBear with me as i review the Blunders of the present Government and some thought provoking Questions. Hindsight.1] Back in 1967 The Arabs united to attempt to wipe Israel off the map Hashem gave the Medina of Jews Yehuda and shomron back just before Shavuos. Why did this medina Not immediately call for massive Aliya ... instead they medina hemmed and hawed debating what to do with this land ... 2] Do you know of any other country that gave back land after it won it in a defensive war? 3] What should our answer have been in spite of all the international pressure there is a passage in Bereishit 1:1 which two of the greatest Rabbis stated a comment that is worth looking at ...Every Yeshiva gedola student has studied this in Chumash Rashi and Ramban on that verse Is Our strongest reply the goyim don't want to hear. To this very day, they are calling us LEESTEEM ... and our present medina is still in a daze as to what our most powerful answer was is and should be on the tongue of the knesset members ... Every war we've had in Eretz Yisrael has been started because two men other men have stated the same thing - the Lubavitcher Rebbe , ZT"L and Rabbi Meir KAHANE HY"D - NOT ONE INCH! This coming year we are preparing to observe Rosh Hashona and the 7th Year ...SHMITTA fits in here as a complete proof that the LAND OF ISRAEL is Hashem's and we are his people.

(8)
yehudit,
July 25, 2014 2:04 PM

Moshiach is in your heart

Moshiach is the spirit of love. Are we ready for this love, can we uproot the hatred, the egotism ; is it possible to love your enemy as Our Creator gives rain to the whole world no matter the race and religion...? When we open our hearts for truly love and follow the truth we can see the Meshiach.

(7)
Markus,
July 25, 2014 7:30 AM

Mashi'ach

there is a big confusion in the world. the Mashi'ach does not come now, because all prophesies are not yet fulfilled by now... It is only God who will decide when. You can only ask Him to shorten the time ... Make you ready ... You will be very surprised or shocked, how God will prepare the coming of the Mashi'ach ... Remember at the end will be peace between Egypt Israel and Syria...

(6)
Mary,
July 24, 2014 9:16 PM

prayer

I keep praying for the coming of the Masiah, and the world peace he will bring.

(5)
Betty G.,
July 24, 2014 8:19 PM

Now More Than Ever?

"With outrageous levels of insanity overtaking the world, we need him now more than ever."With all due respect to Rabbi Coopersmith I seem to remember another time - 1939-1945. If the Messiah didn't come then I suggest we stop waiting for him now.

Sharona,
July 25, 2014 8:49 AM

We don't know when Moshiach is coming, but he has to come at at certain time, and that time is very soon

(4)
Maz,
July 24, 2014 7:23 PM

One Day

"All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more There will be no more wars And our children will play"Matisyahu

(3)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2014 5:50 PM

Moshiach

There have been so many time through out our thousands of years of exile, that Jews thought Moshiach was coming. It is hard to fathom anything as horrendous as the Holocaust, and still he did not come. In Psalm 118, which we know as Hallel, it says" all the nations surround me and in the name of G-d, I shall cut them off". This is speaking about the war of Gog and Magog, when all the nations of the world will wage war against the Jews. The Jews will win, and the righteous will receive salvation through Moshiach. That could be exactly what is happening now. It seems that the whole world is against Israel, many having violent demonstrations in their countries, and Iran, who seems to be unusually quiet, is possibly using this time, while the world is distracted, to continue building its nuclear at a dizzying rate. How Russia fits into all this, is another question, but I am sure it does. In addition, all that has happened in the past three weeks, has brought the Jews more unity than ever, and perhaps that too, through G-d's plan is the beginning of the coming of Moshiach.

(2)
Yehudith Shraga,
July 24, 2014 12:54 PM

Skepticism vs. Passionate Faith

There're endless list of jokes on Mashi'ach coming,as well as the endless Hope for His arrival, which is summed in Maimonides's Thirteen Principles of Faith:"I believe with a full heart in the coming of the Messiah, and even though he may tarry,I will wait for him on any day that he may come." Our Sages teach that the world is created in the perfect correspondence of the Lights to vessels, where the Light is the level of spirituality revealed in the world, and the vessels are the abilities of the creation to interact with the Light of the Creator.If we study the explanations of the Sages we come to learn that the coming of Mashi'ach and rebuilding of the Temple come along with the correction of the creation.It seems very often, that the help should come there where we need it most and it's the main false belief we are given in many stories and movies, just when something awful is going to happen the "help" comes.But as we see in reality, when Israel most needs help and support of the world, it turns to be insane and stands by hitlers and terrorists, whose destructive activity is as obvious as the fact that there's something wrong with our understanding of the conditions for Mashi'akh's coming.The point is that our wrong understanding is not connected to our intellect abilities, otherwise there'd be no place for hope, but it's connected to our ability to maintain the bestowing attitude to the world around.Most of us wish the Help of G-d, the coming of the Mashi'ach and the rebuilding of the Temple out of absolutely egoistic desires, which are mostly concentrated around the wish for "life without problems", while all our problems are the result of our egoistic attitude to the world around.If we wish to receive the G-d 's Help and to face the coming of the Mashi'ach, and rebuilding of the Temple, our attitude to the world should change. First we have to fulfill our destiny in the world-converting our egoism into altruism, then the Help will come.

(1)
smb,
July 24, 2014 8:26 AM

And we can do it. Like the rabbis say, most of the work has been done already, we just need to do a little bit more and then it's here. One speaker i heard said that it use to be that people had to do big things to make an impact, like having concentration for All the prayers in the morning. Nowadays, any little thing makes an impact, like just having concentration on one small prayer.

Hashem tells us in different sources how to bring redemption closer. Every prayer and mitzvah counts

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
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